Charlotte transit bill has "50-50" chance of passing, Senate transportation chair says
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Charlotte City Council hosts a state legislative briefing at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center in Uptown. Photo: Alexandria Sands/Axios
Charlotte city leaders and members of the Mecklenburg County state delegation met Monday to advance plans for a proposed 1-cent sales tax that would generate billions for countywide transportation projects, including new rail lines.
Why it matters: Mecklenburg County representatives had minimal questions or quips about the city's ambitious efforts — despite plenty of debate around the topic in recent months and doubt that it'll be successful.
What they're saying: Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera suggests the relaxed discussion may reflect how many conversations have taken place behind the scenes with lawmakers about the city's plan.
- "It's great to see the delegation is really up to speed on this," Ajmera says.
Catch up quick: A majority of Mecklenburg County municipalities have put forth a draft bill to allow for a countywide sales tax referendum on the November 2025 ballot. The draft is now in the hands of the General Assembly.
- If successful, it would generate a transformative amount of money — an estimated $19.4 billion over 30 years — for roads, rail and bus.
Yes, but: Sen. Vickie Sawyer, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, says whether the bill passes is still "50-50." It will be a challenge to get the Republican-led legislature to agree to a tax increase, she adds.
- Rep. Tricia Cotham, one of Mecklenburg's few Republicans, will be one of the leaders of the bill in the House, along with Democratic Rep. Becky Carney. Sawyer, a Republican, appears to be leading the charge in the Senate.
The other side: Sen. Joyce Waddell says she believes there's an "excellent chance" the legislation will pass in time for a November referendum.
What's next: There is a lot to do between now and then to get a referendum on the ballot and convince voters to vote "yes."
- As the General Assembly considers the legislation, the Metropolitan Transit Commission — Charlotte Area Transit System's policy board — is updating the transit plan. It'll prioritize a wishlist of projects, including the east-west Silver Line light rail, based on estimated costs and what the tax revenue can afford.
The bottom line: "I'm hearing from the city that they really need it fast," Sawyer says, "but we are the North Carolina state legislature. We do things very, very slow."
Go deeper: The long road ahead in 2025 for making Charlotte's transit dreams a reality